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by William L. III Byrd (Author)
These pages contain a wealth of information transcribed from obscure and fragile, original documents housed at the North Carolina State Archives. Every attempt has been made to transcribe the complete collection, including partial or fragmented documents. Papers were listed under the general headings of "Slaves and Free Negroes," "Slaves and Free Persons of Color" and "Miscellaneous Records."Chowan County, named in honor the Chowan Indians, was established in 1670. It was originally a precinct in Albemarle County, and is bound by Albemarle Sound, Chowan River, and Bertie, Hertford, Gates, and Perquimans counties. Part of Tyrell, Hertford and Gates counties were formed from Chowan. Interactions between Blacks and Whites are displayed on both an antagonistic and intimate level, and are dramatically played out through crime and punishment. Criminal cases are filled with intrigue-murder, felonies, trading with slaves and harboring slaves. Records are grouped by category, including: Magistrates Court Records, Civil Actions, Criminal Actions, Gun Permits, Patrol Records, Bills of Sale, Free Persons of Color, Hiring of Slaves, Division of Slaves, and Miscellaneous Records. A table of cases for criminal and civil actions, a full name and subject index, and a glossary of legal terms augment this work. Anyone researching this area will want to add this rich catalog of names to their library. This is the sixth volume in the North Carolina And Free Persons Of Color series.
